Device and Method for Storing and Dispensing

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a storing and dispensing cap is provided and includes a housing movably couplable to a container neck having a lip, and a compartment disposed within the housing, wherein the compartment has a dispenser opening. The cap further includes a plug coupled to the housing by a flexible c-shaped bar, wherein the plug is movable between a first position and a second position for engaging or disengaging with the dispenser opening upon actuation of the c-shaped bar with the lip of the container neck. A storing and mixing system including such a cap, and a method of storing and mixing using such a cap are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/284,649 filed Dec. 18, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/284,613 filed Dec. 22, 2009, the full disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to containers with caps and,more particularly, pertains to containers having separate compartmentsin which at least two materials may be stored separately and then may becombined when it is desired to mix them.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many drugs, dyes, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, nutrients, herbs,flavorings, and other chemicals are frequently supplied in powder,granule, tablet, or crystal form and do not retain their stability,strength and effectiveness for long after they have been mixed insolution or suspension, a condition frequently necessary for theiradministration or other use. It is also important that admixtures ofvarious chemicals be done under conditions wherein a measured amount ofone chemical be added to a measured amount of the other chemical toinsure that proper results are obtained with a minimum of waste.

For example, some vitamins are combined with an effervescent agent andadded to liquid immediately prior to use in order to retain theeffectiveness of the vitamins. If the vitamins were mixed with liquidand were not consumed within a short period of time, the vitamins woulddeteriorate and would be less effective after an extended storageperiod.

There are many other examples of materials or substances which have anextended shelf life when not mixed, but which must be utilizedrelatively soon after mixture to prevent deterioration. Variouscosmetics, medications, hair dyes, pigments, epoxy adhesives, polishes,cleansing solutions and the like have the foregoing characteristics. Forexample, conventional hair dyes employ a base material with which apigmented material or solution is mixed for immediate application on thehair. If the pigmented material is mixed with the base and allowed tostand, the mixture may rapidly deteriorate and thus become unusable.

Many products are, by their very nature, required to be used by theconsumer shortly after their manufacture as they lose certain desirablecharacteristics within a short period of time. Yet, the product can bestored for extended periods of time if a reactive compound thereof ismaintained separate from the base compound. In such case, the twocompounds may be mixed together to form the desired product shortlybefore use. In marketing such goods, it is desirable that the reactivecompound and the base compound be sold as part of the same package. Froman aesthetic as well as a handling standpoint, it is desirable that asingle package be utilized for maintaining such compounds separately.

For example, in the chemical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries itis often necessary to separately store two products which are not to bemixed until just before the resulting mixture is to be used because theproperties of that mixture are not acceptable for the applicationenvisaged except at the moment at which the mixture is formed. Thestability of the mixture, for example, is a property which may vary inthe course of time and may therefore have values which are mostefficacious at the time the mixture is formed.

Another important field of use for containers of this type lies in thestorage of foodstuffs and particularly beverages. Thus, a new flavoring,nutrient, additive, etc. constituted of dry ingredients, and being inthe form of granular material, or a powder may have been developed forcarbonated beverages which has significant potential consumer appeal incomparison with existing products, with the beverage, however, having alimited shelf life after the flavoring, nutrient, additive, etc., ismixed with the liquid or carbonated water present in the container. Theadditive has a lengthier shelf life when maintained in a dry conditionand separate from the water or liquid, and with the product being moreflavorful, nutritious, effective, etc. and marketable when stored in acontainer which maintains the additive and liquid in separatecompartments and inaccessible to each other until opening of thecontainer for the purpose of dispensing the beverage.

Many different types of packages have been designed having twocompartments to enable product components to be kept separate until use.However, prior devices have required many moving parts that requiredconnection, or they required the user to take several actions to combinethe ingredients and then use the mixture, such as pushing down on apushbutton in order to initiate the mixing of the ingredients, and thenopening of a cap. Furthermore, if a seal was previously used, it mayhave required puncturing of the seal, which could become detached, benot fully punctured, or otherwise hinder the flow of reactants.

Furthermore, the types of structures used for many prior two-compartmentcontainers are complicated and often subject to higher manufacture costsand additional assembly time. Many prior art containers have required ahigh degree of manufacturing accuracy in order to work as intended. Forexample, in series production of plastic objects at industrial levels,it can be difficult to obtain consistently accurate results which wouldguarantee a constantly correct and desired connection between elementsrequiring a high degree of manufacturing accuracy, such as for a cuttingelement and a frangible seal.

Further, some prior packages provide that the compartment stays in themouth of the container even after a closure device or cap has beenextracted and the separately stored materials have been mixed, whichrepresents an obstacle which can interfere with the pouring-out or useof the mixture.

Further, some prior packages would not work well if it is important thatthe contents of the container are kept dry. One prior art packagedescribes a plug that would fit into a dispenser opening and prevent thedry contents of the compartment from mixing with the liquid contents ofthe container. However, the plug is located in the center of the bottleneck, and during the bottling process when liquid is poured into thecontainer, the plug itself would get wet and would then contaminate thecontents of the compartment.

Thus, there remains a need to have two-compartment packages which keepthe components separate until just before use, which allow the twocomponents to be easily mixed together, and which are simple tomanufacture and assemble.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an advantageous package in which two ormore separate components may be contained in a separated condition untiljust before use but which allow the separate components to be easily andefficiently mixed together.

In accordance with an embodiment, a storing and dispensing cap isprovided and includes a housing movably couplable to a container neckhaving a lip, and a compartment disposed within the housing, wherein thecompartment has a dispenser opening. The cap further includes a plugcoupled to the housing by a flexible c-shaped bar, wherein the plug ismovable between a first position and a second position for engaging ordisengaging with the dispenser opening upon actuation of the c-shapedbar with the lip of the container neck.

In accordance with another embodiment, a storing and mixing system isprovided, the system including a storing and dispensing cap as notedabove in conjunction with a container including a reservoir and a neckhaving a lip.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of storing anddispensing is provided, the method including providing a containerincluding a reservoir and a neck having a lip, wherein the reservoirholds a first material, and providing a storing and dispensing cap asdescribed above. The method further includes actuating the c-shaped barwith the lip of the neck to engage the plug with the dispenser opening.

Other objects and advantages will be more fully apparent from thefollowing disclosure and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the inventivecontainer constructed pursuant to the teachings of the presentdisclosure may be more readily understood by one skilled in the art,having reference to the following detailed description of preferredembodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a bottom perspective view of a storing anddispensing cap and a neck of a container in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the storing and dispensing cap of FIG.1A;

FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the storing and dispensing capcoupled to the neck as shown in FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate cross-sectional views of the storing anddispensing cap coupled to the neck as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a storing anddispensing cap coupled to a neck of a container in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a storing anddispensing cap coupled to a neck of a container in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the storingand dispensing cap as shown in FIG. 4A;

FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrate a perspective view and a bottom view,respectively, of the storing and dispensing cap as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate perspective, top, bottom, and side views of astoring and dispensing cap in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate cross-sectional views of the storing anddispensing cap as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storing and dispensingcap in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are bestunderstood by referring to the detailed description that follows. Itshould be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identifylike elements illustrated in one or more of the figures. It should alsobe appreciated that the figures may not be necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a storage and mixing apparatus allowingfor the separate storage of at least two materials and the admixing ofthe materials upon “opening” of the apparatus. For ease of description,the dispensing structure of this invention is described in the normal(upright) operating position, and terms such as upper, lower,horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will beunderstood, however, that the dispensing structure of this invention maybe manufactured, stored, transported, used, and/or sold in anorientation other than the position described.

Further, this description's terminology is not intended to limit theinvention. For example, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”,“below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” “proximal”, “distal”, and the like,may be used to describe one element's or feature's relationship toanother element or feature as illustrated in the figures. Thesespatially relative terms are intended to encompass different positionsand orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theposition and orientation shown in the figures. For example, if thedevice in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or“beneath” other elements or features would then be “above” or “over” theother elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” canencompass both positions and orientations of above and below. The devicemay be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations),and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpretedaccordingly. In addition, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contextindicates otherwise. And, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”,“includes”, and the like specify the presence of stated features, steps,operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presenceor addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups. Components described as coupled may beelectrically or mechanically, directly coupled, or they may beindirectly coupled via one or more intermediate components.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2B, a storing and mixing systemincludes a storing and dispensing cap 100 operably coupled to acontainer having a neck 150 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 1A illustrates a bottom perspective view of thestoring and dispensing cap 100 and the container neck 150, FIG. 1Billustrates a top view of the storing and dispensing cap 100, and FIG.1C illustrates a side view of the storing and dispensing cap 100 coupledto the container neck 150, FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate cross-sectionalviews of the storing and dispensing cap 100 coupled to the containerneck 150 along a line IT in FIG. 1B.

The container is adapted to hold a quantity of a first material, such asa liquid (not shown) or other solvent, in an interior reservoir, andincludes an opening via the neck 150, which allows access to theinterior reservoir of the container and which further allows the firstmaterial (e.g., a liquid) to be supplied to or withdrawn from thecontainer. The container may be made of various materials, and in oneexample may be comprised of a plastic, glass, a metal, or variouschemically-inert materials. The container may have a single reservoir oralternatively may include a plurality of reservoirs to hold differentmaterials or different amounts of the same material. In one embodiment,the container is in the shape of a bottle having a single reservoir, andneck 150 is cylindrical including vertical sidewalls, a top lip 152, andexternal screw threads 154 for operably coupling to the cap 100. It isnoted that the container and neck may have differently configured and/orshaped walls in other embodiments. Lip 152 may be formed to havedifferent widths in order to fully engage with a c-shaped bar of cap100, and/or a portion of lip 152 may be raised to further assist in theactuation of the bar of cap 100 to ensure a tight fit between a sealingplug and a dispenser opening of cap 100.

Storing and dispensing cap 100 includes a housing 101 having acompartment 102, interior screw threads 108, and a spring housing 110.Compartment 102 includes a space 102 a and a dispenser opening 102 b fordispensing of the contents within compartment 102 when the dispenseropening 102 b is not plugged or sealed by a plug 104. In one embodiment,compartment 102 is configured for storing a second material (not shown),such as liquid-soluble flavorings, vitamins, minerals, enzymes,nutrients, herbs, microbial cultures, coloring agents, chemicals, etc.,which is segregated from the first material in the container prior touse.

Compartment 102 may be manufactured as a unitary member of the cap 100in one embodiment, or alternatively may be manufactured as a separatemember that is operably couplable to the outer housing 101 of cap 100,which can then be attached to housing 101 by glue, induction melting,ultrasonic melting, snap-fit tabs, or the like. In one example,compartment 102 is generally conical in shape and is located in aninterior underside of the cap 100 within housing 101. In otherembodiments, compartment 102 may be generally cylindrically-shaped orotherwise shaped differently than in a conical shape. In thisembodiment, cap 100 includes a single compartment 102, but in otherembodiments, cap 100 may include multiple compartments to hold differentsecond materials or different amounts of the same second material. Inyet another embodiment, the compartment 102 can be made in differentheights to accommodate different volumes of the second material andthereby provide for different mixing ratios in the arrangement. In yetanother embodiment, the compartment 102 can contain vertical dividingwalls within the compartment which creates a plurality of compartments.Each compartment can hold a different material or different amounts ofthe same material, with each compartment having access and beingconnected to a portion of the dispenser opening. In yet anotherembodiment, the compartment 102 can include colorant which would createvisual stimulation to the user when the materials are mixed together.Visual stimulation increases the interest in using and consuming fooditems. The colorant can be mixed with a clear or neutral beverage forvisual entertainment while consuming the beverage.

Although not illustrated in this embodiment, a lid (e.g., a lid 203 inFIG. 3) is operably coupled to compartment 102, in one example, toaccess interior space 102 b of the compartment 102 for provision of thesecond material. The lid may be coupled to compartment 102 in variousways, such as by a movable joint (e.g., a hinge joint), screw threads,tabs, friction fit, snap fit, and so on.

In one embodiment, the dispenser opening 102 b is located at the taperedend of the conically-shaped compartment 102, which opens to thecontainer neck 150. In one example, dispenser opening 102 b is a smallaperture approximately at a vertex of a downward conically-shapedcompartment 102 such that the second material in the compartment 102 isdirected downward toward the container neck 150 when the dispenseropening is unobstructed. The dispenser opening 102 b allows the secondmaterial to fall from the compartment by gravity or user agitation whenthe cap 100 is in an opened position over container neck 150 and thedispenser opening 102 b is not sealed or plugged, such that the secondmaterial from the compartment 102 may be mixed with the first materialwithin the container. During storage, the dispenser opening 102 b isobstructed by a plug to completely block the dispenser opening in orderto prevent a leak of the second material and the first and secondmaterials from combining (e.g., a liquid impermeable seal may beprovided). When detached from the plug, the second material contents ofthe compartment can drop through the dispenser opening into the interiorof the container and mix with the first material. In some embodiments,the dispenser opening 102 b may include raised circular ridges around anopening to provide a seal with a flat plug embodiment.

In this embodiment, interior screw threads 108 of housing 101 mayoperably couple or mate to exterior screw threads 154 of neck 150 foroperably coupling cap 100 to compartment neck 150. In one embodiment,the contact of the interior screw threads 108 and exterior screw threads154 may create a seal which prevents leakage from the container throughneck 150. However, in other embodiments, cap 100 may be operably coupledto container neck 150 by one of various means and techniques, such as bya slidable joint, glue, induction melting, ultrasonic melting, or thelike. In such a case, cap 100 may form a seal with container neck 150 toprevent leakage of the first material through neck 150. Such a seal maybe provided by a seal ring (e.g., seal ring 414 in FIGS. 6A-6C)positioned within an interior of the housing 101 of cap 100. The sealring can be formed by a horizontal ring protruding from the interior ofhousing 101 and extending towards the center of the cap. The seal ringis configured to contact the upper exterior circumference of thecontainer lip 152 when the cap is securely fastened onto the containerneck 150 in order to form a seal around the exterior circumference ofthe container lip. In one example, the seal ring can be formed of a softrubbery material to create a tighter seal. Such a seal ring may beformed in conjunction with screw threads in the housing 101 as well.

Cap 100 further includes a plug 104 that is operably coupled to housing101 by a flexible c-shaped bar 106 having a spring portion 106 a. In oneembodiment, plug 104 is generally conical in shape and is movablebetween a first position and a second position relative to dispenseropening 102 b for engaging or disengaging with the dispenser opening 102b upon actuation of the c-shaped bar 104 with the lip 152 of thecontainer neck 150. In one example, the plug 104 may include or becomprised of a rigid material or plastic that snap-fits with dispenseropening 102 b such that the second material held within the compartment102 does not dispense (i.e., a liquid-impermeable seal is created). Inanother example, the plug may be a deformable material that seals thedispenser opening and/or the lip of the dispenser opening can be made ofdeformable material which may be pressed tightly against the plug inorder to create a liquid-impermeable seal. In yet another example, theplug 104 may have a tapered shape with a point that enters compartment102 through dispenser opening 102 b and then seals the opening. Plug 104may be of varying shape and size, it may be solid or hollow, and/or thebase portion of the plug, which is exposed to the contents of thecontainer, can be made wider to prevent such container contents fromentering the compartment 102. In other embodiments, the plug may beformed to have a flat surface which simply blocks the dispenser opening102 b (e.g., by interfacing with raised ridges around the opening)without the plug entering the compartment in order to create a seal overthe dispenser opening. In yet other embodiments, plug 104 may have ashape that contours to the exterior of the dispenser opening to preventleakage from compartment 102.

In one example, a first position of plug 104 may be a “closed” positionin which plug 104 is fully engaged with dispenser opening 102 b to closeor seal the dispenser opening 102 b of compartment 102. In the firstposition of plug 104, bar 106 is actuated by or propped up by lip 152 ofneck 150 such that spring portion 106 a is contracted and plug 104 isengaged with the dispenser opening 102 b. A second position of plug 104may be an “opened” position in which plug 104 is not engaged withdispenser opening 102 b to allow contents of compartment 102 to dispensethrough dispenser opening 102 b. In an embodiment where a screw threadis used to secure the cap 100 to the container neck 150, when the cap100 is twisted open to move the cap 100 to an opened position, cap 100including compartment 102 and dispenser opening 102 b is movedvertically-upwards away from compartment neck 150 including lip 152,such that lip 152 disengages or no longer supports c-shaped bar 106,causing spring portion 106 a to expand toward a rest state and bar 106and plug 104 to move to the opened position downward and away from thedispenser opening 102 b. Thus, the second material within compartment102 may be dispensed through an unobstructed dispenser opening 102 b tocombine with the first material within the container. In thisembodiment, additive second material may be deposited into thecompartment 102 through the open top surface of the cap 100 after thedispenser opening is coupled to the plug. Then the top of cap 100 can besealed, covered, or closed to contain and store the additive in thecompartment.

Bar 106 may include an indentation or slot 112 for receiving the lip 152of container neck 150, and the spring portion 106 a of bar 106 acts as aresilient spring and may be housed within spring housing 110. In thisembodiment, spring portion 106 a of bar 106 is c-shaped and fixedlycoupled to housing 101 near spring housing 110 and can flex because ofthe c-shape and stiffness of the material forming the bar 106. Whenactuated by the lip 152 of neck 150, spring portion 106 a will contractand bar 106 can move from a non-actuated position away from compartment102 with plug 104 in an opened position (i.e., plug 104 is not engagedwith dispenser opening 102 b) to an actuated position toward compartment102 with plug 104 in a closed position (i.e., plug 104 is engaged withdispenser opening 102 b). In other embodiments, bar 106 may be hingedlycoupled to an interior wall of housing 101, or it may be coupled by wayof some other type of swivel joint, such that the bar can swivel upwardor downward at such point of attachment when actuated by lip 152 of neck150. In a non-actuated or relaxed state, spring portion 106 a willexpand and bar 106 with plug 104 will be in an opened position downwardand away from the dispenser opening. In other words, spring portion 106a of bar 106 provides resilient spring action when the cap 100 isdisengaging or disengaged from container neck 150. Bar 106 may also beformed with a curvature or a projection 106 b near the part of the barwhich comes into contact with or which is actuated by the lip 152 of theneck 150, such that when the curvature or projection 106 b comes intocontact with lip 152, additional upward force is provided from suchcontact to enable increased engagement of the plug with the dispenseropening. Curvature or projection 106 b may include indentation or slot112 in one example. Although spring portion 106 a is shown as c-shapedin this embodiment, spring portion 106 a of bar 106 may be configured tohave a greater or lesser amount of curvature, such as a u-shapedportion. Furthermore, although only one c-shaped bar is shown in thisembodiment, a plurality of bars having a c-shaped portion may be used tohold and actuate a plug. In yet another example, bar 106 can bebracketed between closely located framing or blocking walls (e.g.,blocking walls 416 in FIGS. 6A-6B), which prevent bars 106 (andtherefore plug 104) from moving sideways or horizontally, in particularwhen the cap 100 is being fastened onto container neck 150. The blockingwalls thus ensure that bar 106 moves in an up or down motion to ensurethe sealing plug is positioned correctly into the dispenser opening.Blocking walls may barricade the bar 106 on either side of the bar toprevent horizontal or transverse motion.

Advantageously, the device of the present disclosure permits thecombination of separated ingredients by a simple single motion ofopening or twisting the cap 100 relative to container neck 150, andfurther permits the user to conveniently combine two or more ingredientswithout the necessity of the user contacting the ingredients directly orrisking spillage or contamination of the ingredients.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side cross-sectional view of a storing anddispensing cap 200 coupled to a container neck 250 is illustrated inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Cap 200and container neck 250 have similar features, functionality, andvariations as cap 100 and neck 150 described above with respect to FIGS.1A-2B, and similar features are similarly numbered and applicable inthis embodiment but may not be described further below in order to avoidrepetitive descriptions.

The container is adapted to hold a quantity of a first material, such asa liquid (not shown) or other solvent, in an interior reservoir, andincludes an opening via the neck 250, which allows access to theinterior reservoir of the container and which further allows the firstmaterial (e.g., a liquid) to be supplied to or withdrawn from thecontainer. The container neck 250 includes a top lip 252 and externalscrew threads 254 for operably coupling to the cap 200. The container,neck 250, lip 252, and external screw threads 254 are similar to thosedescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variationsbeing applicable.

Storing and dispensing cap 200 includes a housing 201 having acompartment 202, interior screw threads 208, and a spring housing 210.Compartment 202 includes a space 202 a and a dispenser opening 202 b fordispensing of the contents within compartment 202 when the dispenseropening 202 b is not plugged or sealed by a plug 204 that is operablycoupled to housing 201 by a flexible c-shaped bar 206 having a springportion 206 a. The cap 200 including housing 201, compartment 202,dispenser opening 202 b, plug 204, bar 206, and spring portion 206 a aresimilar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B withsimilar variations being applicable.

An aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is a lid 203 which isoperably coupled to compartment 202 to access interior space 202 b ofthe compartment 202 for provision of the second material. The lid 203may be coupled to compartment 202 in various ways, such as by a movablejoint (e.g., a hinge joint) to rotatably move along a direction “B”,screw threads, tabs, friction fit, snap fit, and so on.

In one example, plug 204 is configured to rotatably move along adirection “A” upon actuation by lip 252 of neck 250 between a firstposition and a second position. A first position of plug 204 may be a“closed” position A1 in which plug 204 is fully engaged with dispenseropening 202 b to close or seal the dispenser opening 202 b ofcompartment 202. In the first position of plug 204, bar 206 is actuatedby or propped up by lip 252 of neck 250 such that spring portion 206 ais contracted and plug 204 is engaged with the dispenser opening 202 b.A second position of plug 204 may be an “opened” position A2 in whichplug 204 is not engaged with dispenser opening 202 b to allow contentsof compartment 202 to dispense through dispenser opening 202 b. In anembodiment where a screw thread is used to secure the cap 200 to thecontainer neck 250, when the cap 200 is twisted open to move the cap 200to an opened position A2, cap 200 including compartment 202 anddispenser opening 202 b is moved vertically-upwards away fromcompartment neck 250 including lip 252, such that lip 252 disengages orno longer supports c-shaped bar 206, causing spring portion 206 a toexpand toward a rest state and bar 206 and plug 204 to move to theopened position A2 downward and away from the dispenser opening 202 b.Thus, the second material within compartment 202 may be dispensedthrough an unobstructed dispenser opening 202 b to combine with thefirst material within the container.

In other words, the dispenser opening 202 b is illustrated as engagedwith plug 204 in a first position A1 so as to close, block, or seal thedispenser opening 202 b such that a material within compartment 202 doesnot leak through the dispenser opening. When the cap 200 is actuated bythe user, for example by twisting the cap or translating the cap in avertically upward direction, plug 204 is no longer engaged by the lip252 of neck 250 such that plug 204 moves to a second position A2 awayfrom dispenser opening 202 b, which is then opened, unblocked, ordisengaged such that dispenser opening 202 b opens to the container neck250. When plug 204 is in the opened position, the contents of the capcompartment can drop through the dispenser opening into the interior ofthe container and mix with the first material.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, views of a storing and dispensing cap 300coupled to a container neck 350 are illustrated in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustratea side cross-sectional view and a perspective cross-sectional view,respectively of storing and dispensing cap 300. FIGS. 4C and 4Dillustrate a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively, of thestoring and dispensing cap 300. Cap 300 and container neck 350 havesimilar features, functionality, and variations as cap 100 and neck 150described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B, and similar features aresimilarly numbered and applicable in this embodiment but may not bedescribed further below in order to avoid repetitive descriptions.

The container is again adapted to hold a quantity of a first material,such as a liquid (not shown) or other solvent, in an interior reservoir,and includes an opening via the neck 350, which allows access to theinterior reservoir of the container and which further allows the firstmaterial (e.g., a liquid) to be supplied to or withdrawn from thecontainer. The container neck 350 includes a top lip 352 and externalscrew threads 354 for operably coupling to the cap 300. The container,neck 350, lip 352, and external screw threads 354 are similar to thosedescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variationsbeing applicable.

Storing and dispensing cap 300 includes a housing 301 having acompartment 302, interior screw threads 308, and a spring housing 310.Compartment 302 includes a space 302 a and a dispenser opening 302 b fordispensing of the contents within compartment 302 when the dispenseropening 302 b is not plugged or sealed by a plug 304 that is operablycoupled to housing 301 by a flexible c-shaped bar 306 having a springportion 306 a and a protrusion 306 b. The cap 300 including housing 301,compartment 302, dispenser opening 302 b, bar 306, and spring portion306 a are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2Bwith similar variations being applicable.

An aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is a plug lip 304 a ofplug 304. Plug lip 304 a is at the base of plug 304 and contacts theexterior of compartment 302 to achieve a tighter seal over dispenseropening 302 b. In one example, plug lip 304 a is formed to have a shapethat contours to the exterior of the dispenser opening and also helpsprevent container contents from entering the compartment 302.

Another aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is c-shaped bar306 is coupled indirectly to housing 101 by direct coupling to capcompartment 302, which is another possible variation of the storing anddispensing cap.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C and 6A-6C, views of a storing anddispensing cap 400 coupled to a container neck 450 are illustrated inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS.5A-5C illustrate perspective, top, bottom, and side views of storing anddispensing cap 400, and FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate cross-sectional views ofthe storing and dispensing cap 400 along line II-II′ in FIG. 5B. Cap 400and container neck 450 have similar features, functionality, andvariations as cap 100 and neck 150 described above with respect to FIGS.1A-2B, and similar features are similarly numbered and applicable inthis embodiment but may not be described further below in order to avoidrepetitive descriptions.

The container is again adapted to hold a quantity of a first material,such as a liquid (not shown) or other solvent, in an interior reservoir,and includes an opening via the neck 450, which allows access to theinterior reservoir of the container and which further allows the firstmaterial (e.g., a liquid) to be supplied to or withdrawn from thecontainer. The container neck 450 includes a top lip 452 and externalscrew threads 454 for operably coupling to the cap 400. The container,neck 450, lip 452, and external screw threads 454 are similar to thosedescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variationsbeing applicable.

Storing and dispensing cap 400 includes a housing 401 having acompartment 402, interior screw threads 408, and a spring housing 410.Compartment 402 includes a space 402 a and a dispenser opening 402 b fordispensing of the contents within compartment 402 when the dispenseropening 402 b is not plugged or sealed by a plug 404 that is operablycoupled to housing 401 by a plurality of flexible c-shaped bars 406. Thecap 400 including compartment 402, dispenser opening 402 b, and screwthreads 408 are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS.1A-2B with similar variations being applicable.

An aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is the plurality ofbars 406 having a c-shaped portion 406 a which may be used to hold andactuate plug 404 along a vertical direction “C” between a first position404 b and a second position 404 a. Housing 401 also includes a pluralityof spring housing 410. Each of the bars 406 includes a spring portion406 a and a protrusion 406 b, which includes an indentation or notch 412for receiving lip 452 of container neck 450. Spring protrusions arenoted by 406 b′ in the first closed position of plug 404 and by 406 b inthe second opened position of plug 404.

Another aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is a seal ring 414which forms a seal with container neck 450 to prevent leakage of thefirst material in the container through neck 450. Seal ring 414 ispositioned within an interior of the housing 401 of cap 400. The sealring 414 can be formed by a horizontal ring protruding from the interiorof housing 401 and extending towards the center of the cap. The sealring 414 is configured to contact the upper exterior circumference ofthe container lip 452 when the cap is securely fastened onto thecontainer neck 450 in order to form a seal around the exteriorcircumference of the container lip. In one example, the seal ring can beformed of a soft rubbery material to create a tighter seal.

Another aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment are framing orblocking walls 416, which can bracket bars 406 therebetween to preventbars 406 (and therefore plug 404) from moving sideways or horizontally,in particular when the cap 400 is being fastened onto container neck450. The blocking walls 416 thus ensure that bar 406 and plug 404 movein an up or down motion to ensure the sealing plug is positionedcorrectly into the dispenser opening. Blocking walls may barricade thebar 406 on either side of the bar to prevent horizontal or transversemotion.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storing and dispensingcap in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.Cap 500 and container neck 550 have similar features, functionality, andvariations as cap 100 and neck 150 described above with respect to FIGS.1A-2B, and similar features are similarly numbered and applicable inthis embodiment but may not be described further below in order to avoidrepetitive descriptions.

The container is again adapted to hold a quantity of a first material,such as a liquid (not shown) or other solvent, in an interior reservoir,and includes an opening via the neck 550, which allows access to theinterior reservoir of the container and which further allows the firstmaterial (e.g., a liquid) to be supplied to or withdrawn from thecontainer. The container neck 550 includes a top lip 552 and externalscrew threads 554 for operably coupling to the cap 500. The container,neck 550, lip 552, and external screw threads 554 are similar to thosedescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variationsbeing applicable.

Storing and dispensing cap 500 includes a housing 501 having acompartment 502, a lid 503, interior screw threads 508, and may or maynot include a spring housing. Compartment 502 includes a space 502 a anda dispenser opening 502 b for dispensing of the contents 505 (as shownby the bubbles) within compartment 502 when the dispenser opening 502 bis not plugged or sealed by a plug 504 that is operably coupled to thecompartment 502 (or housing 501 in other embodiments) by a plurality offlexible c-shaped bars 506. The cap 500 including compartment 502,dispenser opening 502 b, and screw threads 508 are similar to thosedescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B with similar variationsbeing applicable.

An aspect that is illustrated in this embodiment is the plurality ofbars 506 having a c-shaped portion which may be used to hold and actuateplug 504 in a vertical direction “D” between a first position 504 a anda second position 504 b. Bars 506 are coupled to an underside ofcompartment 502 (although they may be coupled directly to housing 501 inother embodiments). In this embodiment, the c-shaped portions of bars506 are shaped to have an arc kept substantially between the innerdiameter of the housing 501 of cap 500. When actuated, the bottle lip552, which has a smaller circumference than the inner circumference ofthe housing 501 of cap 500, will pinch bars 506 inward and push plug 504upward toward dispenser opening 502 b. Furthermore, in this embodiment,bars 506 do not include a protrusion nor an indentation or notch forreceiving the lip 552 of container neck 550. Instead, bars 506 areactuated along the c-shaped portion by lip 552 to pinch inwardly orrelax outwardly and move plug 504 between a first position 504 a and asecond position 504 b to engage and disengage with dispenser opening 502b.

As noted above, in the embodiments described above with respect to FIGS.3-7, similar elements may have similar structure and/or functionality asthose described above with respect to FIGS. 1A-2B and are similarlynumbered. For example, caps 200, 300, 400, and 500 may be operablycoupled to necks 250, 350, 450, and 550, respectively, by the outerhousing coupling to the container neck by one of various means andtechniques, such as by screw threads (e.g., mating screw threads on aninterior surface of the outer shell with an exterior surface of theneck), a slidable joint, glue, induction melting, ultrasonic melting, orthe like. Also, compartments may be manufactured as a unitary member ofthe caps in one embodiment, or alternatively may be manufactured as aseparate member that is operably couplable to the housing of a cap.Furthermore, caps and containers may include a single compartment andreservoir, respectively, or caps and containers may include multiplecompartments and reservoirs. In addition, the plugs may include a rigidplastic end that snap-fits with a dispenser opening to create aliquid-impermeable seal, or the plug/dispenser opening lip may include adeformable material that seals the interface between the plug and thedispenser opening. In yet another example, the plug may have a taperedshape with a point that enters the compartment through the dispenseropening and then seals the opening.

Advantageously, the present disclosure provides a package including astoring and dispensing cap that can be coupled to a container such thattwo or more separate products may be contained in a separated condition.Means are also provided for separately storing at least two materials oringredients of a product within a cap prior to opening of the containerand which, upon opening of the container closure, provides for theautomatic admixing of the separately stored materials. The presentdisclosure further provides for longer storage times of materials whichwould degrade if mixed together by providing for separate storagecompartments for each such material. In such case, the two compounds maybe mixed together to form the desired product shortly before use inorder to preserve efficacy. The present disclosure may also obviate theneed to refrigerate ingredients to preserve efficacy. The presentdisclosure further permits a reactive compound and a base compound to besold as part of the same package. From an aesthetic as well as ahandling standpoint, it is desirable that a single package be utilizedfor separately maintaining such compounds. The present disclosurefurther permits combining of the ingredients by a simple single motionof opening the closure device. The present disclosure further provides ameans for maintaining properly proportioned amounts of the ingredientsin one package, so that the user may easily and quickly mix properamounts in an accurate and uniform manner, and very quickly andeconomically within a prepackaged container. The present disclosurefurther provides a novel attachment for a container closure device witha dispensing opening which has a bottom end opening suitable for use asa compartment or reservoir for the storage of a material or chemical.The present disclosure further provides a storing and dispensing capwhich may be easily manufactured or fabricated from readily availablematerials and which is relatively inexpensive and relatively fool-proofin use. The present disclosure further provides an improved devicepermitting the user to conveniently combine two or more ingredientswithout the necessity of contacting the ingredients used and without therisk of spillage. The present disclosure further provides a package forstoring and mixing a plurality of ingredients with a minimum of time andeffort. The present disclosure further provides a novel package forstoring, mixing and then dispensing ingredients with little or no dangerof contamination. The present disclosure further provides for theconservation of resources and decreases manufacturing time and costswith the use of less materials. The present disclosure also provides asealing device that is solidly supported in a position to prevent anymixture between the separated ingredients until intended. The presentdisclosure further provides a method for proportioning ingredients forthe purpose of accurate and expeditious mixing immediately prior to use.The present disclosure further provides for the release of pressurewhich may result from the combining of the ingredients because thesingle action of removing the closure which causes the combining of theingredients will also cause air to enter the container. The presentdisclosure further provides a container which is simple to construct,easy to operate both as to filling with the separated ingredients and asto discharge of the mixed product, and which embodies certain safetyfeatures which protect against accidental, premature mixing of theseparated ingredients, and against accidental discharge of the mixedproduct. The present disclosure further keeps the sealing device fromgetting wet during the bottling process when liquid is poured into thecontainer.

Finally, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a containerwhich is adapted to separately store at least two materials, including astructure for separating the constituents by a liquid-impermeablebarrier; and which will allow for utilization of a standard sizebeverage can or bottle; which will require little or no modification ofa standard container whereby any increase in container cost is minimal;will pour easily when opened; will not contain loose debris from thebarrier after opening; and will be compatible with standard carbonatedbeverage filling and sealing equipment, with the possible exception thatspecial provisions may be required to fill the second material into itscompartment in the closure.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described hereinin detail, the teachings of the present invention will suggest manyother embodiments to those skilled in the art. For instance, althoughonly two separately stored ingredients for a product are shown anddescribed in the disclosed embodiments, it should be apparent to oneskilled in the art that embodiments fall within the scope of theinvention wherein three or more materials may be separately stored andautomatically admixed upon or preceding opening of the container. Forexample, the cap compartments and/or the container reservoirs may besectioned to include space for separately storing more than one materialin each cap compartment and/or container reservoir. Furthermore, thedevice of the present disclosure may be used to separately store variousmaterials, including but not limited to foodstuff, drugs, dyes,cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, nutrients,herbs, flavorings, and other chemicals. While this invention issusceptible of embodiment in many different forms this specification andthe accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examplesof the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to theembodiments so described, however. It should also be understood thatnumerous modifications and variations are possible in accordance withthe principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of theinvention is defined only by the following claims.

1. A storing and dispensing cap, comprising: a housing movably couplableto a container neck having a lip; a compartment disposed within thehousing, wherein the compartment has a dispenser opening, and a plugcoupled to the housing by a flexible c-shaped bar, wherein the plug ismovable between a first position and a second position for engaging ordisengaging with the dispenser opening upon actuation of the c-shapedbar with the lip of the container neck.
 2. The cap of claim 1, whereinthe container neck includes exterior screw threads that are engageablewith interior screw threads of the housing.
 3. The cap of claim 1,wherein the compartment includes a funnel portion configured to extenddownward toward the container neck.
 4. The cap of claim 1, wherein theplug is cone-shaped and is comprised of a plastic material or a rubbermaterial.
 5. The cap of claim 1, wherein the c-shaped bar includes anotch for engaging with the lip of the container neck.
 6. The cap ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of flexible c-shaped barscoupling the plug to the housing.
 7. The cap of claim 1, furthercomprising a seal ring for liquid sealing the housing to the lip of thecontainer neck.
 8. The cap of claim 1, further comprising a movable lidcoupled to a top of the compartment for providing access to an interiorof the compartment.
 9. A storing and mixing system, comprising: acontainer including a reservoir and a neck having a lip; and a storingand dispensing cap removably couplable to the neck, the cap including: ahousing movably coupled to the neck; a compartment disposed within thehousing, wherein the compartment has a dispenser opening; and a plugcoupled to the housing by a flexible c-shaped bar, wherein the plug ismovable between a first position and a second position for engaging ordisengaging with the dispenser opening upon actuation of the c-shapedbar with the lip of the neck.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein theneck includes exterior screw threads that are engageable with interiorscrew threads of the housing.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein thecompartment includes a funnel portion configured to extend downwardtoward the neck.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the plug iscone-shaped and is comprised of a plastic material or a rubber material.13. The system of claim 9, wherein the c-shaped bar includes a notch forengaging with the lip of the neck.
 14. The system of claim 9, whereinthe cap further comprises a plurality of flexible c-shaped bars couplingthe plug to the housing.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the capfurther comprises a seal ring for liquid sealing the housing to the lipof the neck.
 16. The system of claim 9, wherein the cap furthercomprises a movable lid coupled to a top of the compartment forproviding access to an interior of the compartment.
 17. A method ofstoring and mixing, the method comprising: providing a containerincluding a reservoir and a neck having a lip, wherein the reservoirholds a first material; providing a storing and dispensing capincluding: a housing movably couplable to the neck; a compartmentdisposed within the housing, wherein the compartment has a dispenseropening; and a plug coupled to the housing by a flexible c-shaped bar,wherein the plug is movable between a first position and a secondposition for engaging or disengaging with the dispenser opening; andactuating the c-shaped bar with the lip of the neck to engage the plugwith the dispenser opening.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising filling the compartment with a second material through a topopening of the compartment accessible via a movable lid.
 19. The methodof claim 17, further comprising disengaging the c-shaped bar from thelip of the neck by rotating the cap about a longitudinal axis of thecontainer and translating the cap in a vertical direction.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising dispensing the second materialout of the compartment and into the reservoir holding the firstmaterial.